Marrakech's Most Beautiful Riads

Marrakech is known for its elegant and stylish riads — each with its own story in the heart of the Marrakech medina. Splashing fountain, colorful zellig and even tadelakt bathroom walls, dramatic views from the rooftop terrace and sometimes even soaring palm trees in the central courtyard, make these former homes-turned-boutique-hotels a dreamy place to stay! Culture Trip has selected five riads to be hailed “the most beautiful” in Marrakech.

El Fenn

Bohemian chic are key words to describe this trendy boutique hotel, whose name means art in local Arabic dialect. El Fenn combines the indulgence of a hip hotel with the heritage of seven traditional courtyard houses and one of the finest contemporary art collections in Morocco. A riot of color, the décor is Moroccan with contemporary and retro twists.

Riad Mena

Hip and cool Riad Mena is a creative city outpost. But it’s the unusual design — courtesy Philomena Schurer Merckoll and Romain Michel Meniere — that makes Riad Mena stand out amongst Marrakech’s many riads, with its subtle mix of Moroccan touches combined with mid-century modernist furniture, all found in the local flea markets.

Royal Mansour

Tucked behind some of the most elegant doors in Marrakech, there are no rooms at the upscale Royal Mansour, but rather 53 private riads. Each of the riads has been individually furnished by craftsmen from Marrakech, Essaouira, Fès and Meknès, with wood panelling, zellige tiling, tadlakt and plasterwork demonstrating the infinite variety of Moroccan decorative arts. Every riad is different — owing to the selection of furniture and the way it is arranged, the choice of fabrics and colors, and the lighting design.

Riad Jaaneman

Taken from the Indian word soul of me, Riad Jaaneman is an intimate escape in one of the best areas of the Marrakech medina: five stylish suites that overlook the central courtyard, where a plunge pool is shaded by towering banana and palm trees.